Agenda item

This Council notes that:

 

On 21st July 2022, a motion was passed by the Council regarding Rivers, Safe Swimming and Sewage, which recognised the cumulative impact of sewage discharge events.

 

The responsible bodies are the Environment Agency for general oversight, Cambridge Water for water supply, and Anglian Water for sewage. Despite members highlighting the issues in this Council, and engaging with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, recent evidence shows that pollution levels in our rivers and chalk streams remain unacceptable.

 

Many residents and local organisations have rightly raised concerns about the health implications of the poor water quality in our rivers and chalk streams, especially during summer months when local children and families would expect to be able to bathe and enjoy nature-rich river banks. Cam Valley Forum have undertaken water quality tests for the year 2021 to 2022, and Anglian Water continue to take weekly tests.  All show poor water quality.

 

On 22nd September 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed a motion calling for measures to stop water companies dumping raw sewage in our chalk streams, and has begun working towards a formal application to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an inland bathing water stretch within their district under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

 

A designation as a bathing water site from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs imposes a legal obligation on Anglian Water to reduce sewage pollution in the area concerned until the level ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ is reached; requires the Environment Agency to test the water regularly during the bathing season in order to produce an annual classification as “excellent”, ”good”, “sufficient” or “poor”; requires the local council and agencies to publish the annual water quality classification; and can help residents enjoy the benefits of wild swimming, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing, fitness and contact with nature.

 

Therefore, this Council calls on everyone to engage with the River Cam and its associated chalk streams and tributaries with respect, accepting our stewardship of this vital natural resource, and asks all residents and organisations of Cambridge to act as guardians of the river and be mindful of the impact of our own actions and those of others that threaten its health and survival.

 

Furthermore, in order to reduce threats to the River Cam and its tributaries caused by pollution and over-abstraction, this Council:

 

·      will support a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing water site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, recognising that designation would bring tangible benefits to the health of the river and city residents, subject to approval of the Executive Councillor following consideration by the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee;

·      asks the Chief Executive to send a formal letter to the Environment Agency, Cambridge Water, and Anglian Water expressing its concerns over the state of the River Cam and associated chalk streams and other tributaries, and calling for their assistance in improving water quality and reducing pollution;

·      will continue to consider the impact of the emerging Local Plan on the water environment through the cross-party, cross-boundary Shared Planning Local Plan Advisory Group, and the cross-party Cambridge City Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee;

·      affirms the goal, agreed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, of having the water management plan for our chalk streams based on being an ‘environmental destination’ with subsequent protection as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rather than ‘business as usual plus’;

·      will provide public access to the full response of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to the Cambridge Water, Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) consultation.

 

References

Information provided by the Government on Bathing Water Quality https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bathing-waters

Information from Cam Valley Forum https://camvalleyforum.uk/water-quality/

South Cambridgeshire District Council motion, agreed on 22 September 2022  https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=93434

Councillor Thornburrow proposed, and Councillor Holloway seconded the following motion: 

 

This Council notes that:

 

On 21st July 2022, a motion was passed by the Council regarding Rivers, Safe Swimming and Sewage, which recognised the cumulative impact of sewage discharge events.

 

The responsible bodies are the Environment Agency for general oversight, Cambridge Water for water supply, and Anglian Water for sewage. Despite members highlighting the issues in this Council, and engaging with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, recent evidence shows that pollution levels in our rivers and chalk streams remain unacceptable.

 

Many residents and local organisations have rightly raised concerns about the health implications of the poor water quality in our rivers and chalk streams, especially during summer months when local children and families would expect to be able to bathe and enjoy nature-rich river banks. Cam Valley Forum have undertaken water quality tests for the year 2021 to 2022, and Anglian Water continue to take weekly tests.  All show poor water quality.

 

On 22nd September 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed a motion calling for measures to stop water companies dumping raw sewage in our chalk streams, and has begun working towards a formal application to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an inland bathing water stretch within their district under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

 

A designation as a bathing water site from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs imposes a legal obligation on Anglian Water to reduce sewage pollution in the area concerned until the level ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ is reached; requires the Environment Agency to test the water regularly during the bathing season in order to produce an annual classification as “excellent”, ”good”, “sufficient” or “poor”; requires the local council and agencies to publish the annual water quality classification; and can help residents enjoy the benefits of wild swimming, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing, fitness and contact with nature.

 

Therefore, this Council calls on everyone to engage with the River Cam and its associated chalk streams and tributaries with respect, accepting our stewardship of this vital natural resource, and asks all residents and organisations of Cambridge to act as guardians of the river and be mindful of the impact of our own actions and those of others that threaten its health and survival.

 

Furthermore, in order to reduce threats to the River Cam and its tributaries caused by pollution and over-abstraction, this Council:

 

·      will support a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing water site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, recognising that designation would bring tangible benefits to the health of the river and city residents, subject to approval from the Executive Councillor following consideration by the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee;

·      asks the Chief Executive to send a formal letter to the Environment Agency, Cambridge Water, and Anglian Water expressing its concerns over the state of the River Cam and associated chalk streams and other tributaries, and calling for their assistance in improving water quality and reducing pollution;

·      will continue to consider the impact of the emerging Local Plan on the water environment through the cross-party, cross-boundary Shared Planning Local Plan Advisory Group, and the cross-party Cambridge City Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee;

·      affirms the goal, agreed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, of having the water management plan for our chalk streams based on being an ‘environmental destination’ with subsequent protection as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rather than ‘business as usual plus’;

·      will provide public access to the full response of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to the Cambridge Water, Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) consultation.

 

References

Information provided by the Government on Bathing Water Quality https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bathing-waters

Information from Cam Valley Forum https://camvalleyforum.uk/water-quality/

South Cambridgeshire District Council motion, agreed on 22 September 2022  https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=93434

 

Councillor Glasberg proposed and Councillor Bennett  seconded the following amendment to the composite motion (deleted text struckthrough and additional text underlined)

 

This Council notes that:

 

On 21st July 2022, a motion was passed by the Council regarding Rivers, Safe Swimming and Sewage, which recognised the cumulative impact of sewage discharge events.

 

The responsible bodies are the Environment Agency for general oversight, Cambridge Water for water supply, and Anglian Water for sewage. Despite members highlighting the issues in this Council, and engaging with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, recent evidence shows that pollution levels in our rivers and chalk streams remain unacceptable.

 

Many residents and local organisations have rightly raised concerns about the health implications of the poor water quality in our rivers and chalk streams, especially during summer months when local children and families would expect to be able to bathe and enjoy nature-rich river banks. Cam Valley Forum have undertaken water quality tests for the year 2021 to 2022, and Anglian Water continue to take weekly tests.  All show poor water quality.

 

On 22nd September 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed a motion calling for measures to stop water companies dumping raw sewage in our chalk streams, and has begun working towards a formal application to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an inland bathing water stretch within their district under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

 

A designation as a bathing water site from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs imposes a legal obligation on Anglian Water to reduce sewage pollution in the area concerned until the level ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ is reached; requires the Environment Agency to test the water regularly during the bathing season in order to produce an annual classification as “excellent”, ”good”, “sufficient” or “poor”; requires the local council and agencies to publish the annual water quality classification; and can help residents enjoy the benefits of wild swimming, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing, fitness and contact with nature.

 

Therefore, this Council calls on everyone to engage with the River Cam and its associated chalk streams and tributaries with respect, accepting our stewardship of this vital natural resource, and asks all residents and organisations of Cambridge to act as guardians of the river and be mindful of the impact of our own actions and those of others that threaten its health and survival.

 

Furthermore, in order to reduce threats to the River Cam and its tributaries caused by pollution and over-abstraction, this Council:

 

·      will support a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing water site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, recognising that designation would bring tangible benefits to the health of the river and city residents, subject to approval from the Executive Councillor following consideration by the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee;

·      The Council will carefully consider the implications of the 3 July 2023 guidance Bathing waters: apply to designate or de-designate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

·      In particular, the council will take advice as to the legal and public health implications of encouraging a minimum of 100 people to spend an aggregate of 800 hours immersed in an unsafe and polluted area. This is a requirement of any new application for designated status.

·      The Council will also take advice as to the legal and public health implications of encouraging an unknown number of people to expose themselves to polluted water. It should be borne in mind that only testing for e coli would be required if designated status is granted and not for the other chemicals and contaminants known to be present in the Cam.

·      The Council will carefully consider and take independent biodiversity advice on the impact on the river, the river banks, protected species and particularly on the three local nature reserves adjacent to the site.

·      The Council will consult the Conservators of the River Cam who are the statutory navigation authority for the river.

·      The Council will consider the impact on existing other users of the area including but not limited to the existing 600 member canoe club, the iconic punt route through this narrow site to Grantchester Meadows and the impact on the key tourism asset of the Scudamores punt station and existing visitors to and residents of this popular and heavily used area.. 

·      The Council shall review the accident and safety records of the site and consider the costs and biodiversity implications of making the site physically safe for swimmers.

·      The council shall consider the considerable capital and recurring costs and feasibility of providing and maintaining appropriate bankside facilities to comply with the 3 July 2023 requirements and its own safety standards.

·      The Council shall consider the likelihood of any designated bathing water application resulting in cleaner water given that water status remains poor at the only current inland bathing site at Ilkley.

·      The Council shall consider carefully the outcome of this preliminary review before making any decision to permit a public consultation to take place or any application for designated bathing area status to proceed.

·      asks the Chief Executive to send a formal letter to the Environment Agency, Cambridge Water, and Anglian Water expressing its concerns over the state of the River Cam and associated chalk streams and other tributaries, and calling for their assistance in improving water quality and reducing pollution;

·      will continue to consider the impact of the emerging Local Plan on the water environment through the cross-party, cross-boundary Shared Planning Local Plan Advisory Group, and the cross-party Cambridge City Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee;

·      affirms the goal, agreed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, of having the water management plan for our chalk streams based on being an ‘environmental destination’ with subsequent protection as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rather than ‘business as usual plus’;

·      will provide public access to the full response of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to the Cambridge Water, Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) consultation.

 

 

On a show of hands the amendment was lost by 5 votes to 32 votes.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed and Councillor Nethsingha seconded the following amendment to the composite motion (deleted text struckthrough and additional text underlined)

 

This Council notes that:

 

On 21st July 2022, a motion was passed by the Council regarding Rivers, Safe Swimming and Sewage, which recognised the cumulative impact of sewage discharge events.

 

The responsible bodies are the Environment Agency for general oversight, Cambridge Water for water supply, and Anglian Water for sewage. Despite members highlighting the issues in this Council, and engaging with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, recent evidence shows that pollution levels in our rivers and chalk streams remain unacceptable.

 

Many residents and local organisations have rightly raised concerns about the health implications of the poor water quality in our rivers and chalk streams, especially during summer months when local children and families would expect to be able to bathe and enjoy nature-rich river banks. Cam Valley Forum have undertaken water quality tests for the year 2021 to 2022, and Anglian Water continue to take weekly tests.  All show poor water quality.

 

On 22nd September 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed a motion calling for measures to stop water companies dumping raw sewage in our chalk streams, and has begun working towards a formal application to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an inland bathing water stretch within their district under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

 

A designation as a bathing water site from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs imposes a legal obligation on Anglian Water to reduce sewage pollution in the area concerned until the level ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ is reached; requires the Environment Agency to test the water regularly during the bathing season in order to produce an annual classification as “excellent”, ”good”, “sufficient” or “poor”; requires the local council and agencies to publish the annual water quality classification; and can help residents enjoy the benefits of wild swimming, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing, fitness and contact with nature.

 

Therefore, this Council calls on everyone to engage with the River Cam and its associated chalk streams and tributaries with respect, accepting our stewardship of this vital natural resource, and asks all residents and organisations of Cambridge to act as guardians of the river and be mindful of the impact of our own actions and those of others that threaten its health and survival.

 

Furthermore, in order to reduce threats to the River Cam and its tributaries caused by pollution and over-abstraction, this Council:

 

·      will support a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing water site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, recognising that designation would bring tangible benefits to the health of the river and city residents, subject to approval from the Executive Councillor following consideration by the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee;

·      Agrees to evaluate the potential of a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, in order to secure an improvement in water quality while also taking into account the impact of any increased usage and avoidance of significant additional cost; and requests a report on this to the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee to inform a balanced decision by the Executive Councillor.

·      asks the Chief Executive to send a formal letter to the Environment Agency, Cambridge Water, and Anglian Water expressing its concerns over the state of the River Cam and associated chalk streams and other tributaries, and calling for their assistance in improving water quality and reducing pollution;

·      will continue to consider the impact of the emerging Local Plan on the water environment through the cross-party, cross-boundary Shared Planning Local Plan Advisory Group, and the cross-party Cambridge City Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee;

·      affirms the goal, agreed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, of having the water management plan for our chalk streams based on being an ‘environmental destination’ with subsequent protection as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rather than ‘business as usual plus’;

·      will provide public access to the full response of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to the Cambridge Water, Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) consultation.

 

 

On a show of hands, the amendment was carried by 33 votes to 1.

 

Resolved (by 33 votes to 1 vote) that:

 

This Council notes that:

 

On 21st July 2022, a motion was passed by the Council regarding Rivers, Safe Swimming and Sewage, which recognised the cumulative impact of sewage discharge events.

 

The responsible bodies are the Environment Agency for general oversight, Cambridge Water for water supply, and Anglian Water for sewage. Despite members highlighting the issues in this Council, and engaging with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, recent evidence shows that pollution levels in our rivers and chalk streams remain unacceptable.

 

Many residents and local organisations have rightly raised concerns about the health implications of the poor water quality in our rivers and chalk streams, especially during summer months when local children and families would expect to be able to bathe and enjoy nature-rich riverbanks. Cam Valley Forum have undertaken water quality tests for the year 2021 to 2022, and Anglian Water continue to take weekly tests.  All show poor water quality.

 

On 22nd September 2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed a motion calling for measures to stop water companies dumping raw sewage in our chalk streams and had begun working towards a formal application to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an inland bathing water stretch within their district under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

 

A designation as a bathing water site from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs imposes a legal obligation on Anglian Water to reduce sewage pollution in the area concerned until the level ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ is reached; requires the Environment Agency to test the water regularly during the bathing season in order to produce an annual classification as “excellent”, ”good”, “sufficient” or “poor”; requires the local council and agencies to publish the annual water quality classification; and can help residents enjoy the benefits of wild swimming, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing, fitness and contact with nature.

 

Therefore, this Council calls on everyone to engage with the River Cam and its associated chalk streams and tributaries with respect, accepting our stewardship of this vital natural resource, and asks all residents and organisations of Cambridge to act as guardians of the river and be mindful of the impact of our own actions and those of others that threaten its health and survival.

 

Furthermore, in order to reduce threats to the River Cam and its tributaries caused by pollution and over-abstraction, this Council:

 

·      Agrees to evaluate the potential of a formal application to Defra for an inland water stretch along the River Cam within Cambridge City Council boundaries to be designated as a bathing site, working with Anglian Water and local partners such as Cam Valley Forum, in order to secure an improvement in water quality while also taking into account the impact of any increased usage and avoidance of significant additional cost; and requests a report on this to the Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee to inform a balanced decision by the Executive Councillor.

·      asks the Chief Executive to send a formal letter to the Environment Agency, Cambridge Water, and Anglian Water expressing its concerns over the state of the River Cam and associated chalk streams and other tributaries, and calling for their assistance in improving water quality and reducing pollution;

·      will continue to consider the impact of the emerging Local Plan on the water environment through the cross-party, cross-boundary Shared Planning Local Plan Advisory Group, and the cross-party Cambridge City Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee;

·      affirms the goal, agreed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, of having the water management plan for our chalk streams based on being an ‘environmental destination’ with subsequent protection as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rather than ‘business as usual plus’;

·      will provide public access to the full response of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to the Cambridge Water, Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) consultation.